Mardy Fish Optimistic Ahead of Title Defense in Atlanta

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: AP Photo

(July 12th, 2012) Andy Roddick's latest press conference with Emirates U.S. Open Series has many saying buy stock in Roddick's future. If that's the case, then it would be fair to say that last year's Series champion Mardy Fish's stock should be put on hold as his favorite part of the season beckons with next week's BB&T Atlanta Open.

After surviving his recent well-publicized scare with an abnormal heart arrhythmia that took him out of action for several months, Fish himself was even a bit surprised by how well he bounced back at this year's Wimbledon as he reached the fourth round before losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

"A lot of times when you take some time off, sometimes you have to take your lumps in tournaments, and you're going to play some bad matches and probably not get through them, and I was lucky enough to get through those first two rounds to where I could really feel like I had some matches under my belt and I could start playing some good tennis again," Fish said during his conference call to promote the Emirates U.S. Open Series.

Fish, who had a rough start to the year filled with several early round losses followed by his health scare in Miami, is feeling optimistic as he tries to defend his title in Atlanta for a third year in a row. Despite the hot and humid conditions players encounter during their week in the "Big Peach", Fish actually thrives on it.

"I certainly enjoy playing there. Obviously I love the weather, the heat. Playing in that type of heat is not just about being fit; as well it's about convincing yourself that you like it more than the other guy, pushing your body further than you think it'll go. You know, there's numerous ways to get through it, and I love it. I grew up in it. I grew up in that weather, and I play my best tennis in that type of heat."

Fish, who is skipping this year's Olympics in order to focus on the full slate of events in the States leading up to the U.S. Open, has an opportunity to make up some of the ground he lost in the first half of the year. Still Fish knows he has to be mindful to not push himself too hard despite being given a clean bill of health from his doctor.

"Yeah, the hardest part for me is mentally trusting everything. You know, the summer is tough in general just because you know you have to deal with the opponent across the net, but you also have to deal with the weather and sort of the conditions that you have to play in, and you prepare yourself the best way you can. I've prepared myself very well the past couple years, and this year is a little bit different going in."

With more expectations and attention being placed this summer on current U.S. No. 1 John Isner, the resurgent Roddick, the future hope in Ryan Harrison and even the comeback kid in Brian Baker, Fish, who wasn't all that comfortable last summer being under the spotlight, has a chance to fine tune his game on the hardcourts while some of those mentioned will deal with the pressure of the Olympics in a few weeks time.

After a turbulent and scary first six months of 2012, Fish has every right to look forward to a summer full of possibility.

"This is my favorite time of the year, so obviously this is an exciting time. I played so well last year. Winning the US Open Series was an honor, and I played well in every event that I played in the summer, including the US Open obviously. You know, it should be fun again."